Adjusting Laptop Screen Saver and Sleep Settings (MacOS/Windows)

Instructions on how to adjust sleep and screensaver settings to avoid disruption when using a laptop in a classroom.

MacOS Screen Saver/Sleep Settings

In MacOS, choose the Apple menu, then System Settings, then Lock Screen. Your options are

1. Start Screen Saver when inactive:  you can set the number of minutes for the amount of time that will work best to avoid disruption in your class.

2. Turn display off on battery when inactive:  if you don’t want to charge your laptop in class because you are, for example, using wireless presentation to be more mobile in the classroom, you can adjust the time for longer so that your display does not turn off.  Usually, this number is quite low to preserve battery.

3. Turn display off on power adapter when inactive:  you can consider this time limit more of a security measure (e.g., if you are out of your office, your computer screen will not stay live for hours).  You can adjust this time upwards for class.

4. Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off:  If you have adjusted the other time limits to work with your class, you will not need to adjust this number.

You can read more about Lock Screen at Apple’s website.

Windows Screen Saver/Sleep Settings

In Windows, choose the Start button, then Settings, Personalization, Lock Screen and select 

1. the Screen Saver settings.  You can adjust the time for the Screen saver to start up or select None for no screen saver.

2. The Screen timeout setting, Screen and sleep.  Adjust the length of time for your screen to go off and your laptop to go to sleep when your laptop is on battery.